Asian markets end week down, more volatility tipped

HONG KONG (AFP) - Asian markets fell yesterday as trade tensions and geopolitical worries kept investors from tracking a rebound on Wall Street, with observers warning of further volatility to come.

The losses came at the end of a punishing week that witnessed steep losses across the board, with several indexes wiping out their year’s gains as the tech and energy sectors took a beating.

New York’s three main indexes provided some solace by posting healthy gains thanks to some upbeat earnings but they are still down from last Friday’s close with a feeling the bottom has not been found yet.

But analysts said there is a concern that even US markets have succumbed to the hefty selling pressure, having managed to ride out much of the volatility this year thanks to the strengthening domestic economy.

Dealers there are now feeling the pinch from the China-US trade row and rising interest rates.

“Unlike the previous sell-off in 2018 that tended to hit a sector or two at a time, the breadth of the latest rout (is) much more pronounced as it is heavyweight champions of the US markets that are leading the way,” said Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trade at OANDA.

“Indeed, this sell-off is entirely different as on top of the mountains of geopolitical risk, US interest rates are rising quickly and mercilessly squeezing financial conditions.”

He added that “everyone expects 2019 to be a real stinker”.

And Con Michalakis, chief investment officer at Statewide Super, told Bloomberg TV: “You’re going to see a lot more volatility. It’s going to be a feature of this environment.”

Hong Kong fell 1.1 percent while Tokyo ended 0.4 percent lower and Shanghai 0.2 percent.

Singapore dived 1.4 percent and Seoul shed 1.8 percent, Taipei eased 0.3 percent and Bangkok skidded 0.5 percent.

However, Wellington was marginally higher and Manila added more than one percent.

Energy firms failed to hold early gains, ending mixed and remaining under pressure as oil prices continue to retreat from their four-year highs seen at the start of the month.

The fall in prices comes as global demand dips, while data showed US stockpiles had grown and tensions with Saudi Arabia simmering over the death of a journalist. Dealers are also concerned about Riyadh’s pledge to increase output to make up for shortfalls as Iranian crude is hit by US sanctions.

The euro struggled at two-month lows against the dollar after a brief rally in response to European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi’s comments playing down risks to the eurozone growth outlook.

“It seems that the market remains unconvinced on Draghi’s views that the risk to the outlook remain ‘broadly balanced’,” said Rodrigo Catril, senior forex strategist at National Australia Bank.

“Technically the euro is in no-man’s land and it seems that the market wants to test the August low of $1.1301 before a material rebound can ensue.”

The greenback also held gains against sterling, with a Brexit deadline approaching and London and Brussels still nowhere near a final agreement.
“It seems that at the moment no news is bad news for the pound, the clock keeps on ticking and politicians remain unable to find a solution to the Brexit deadlock,” Catril said.

In other forex trade the yuan continues to weaken against the dollar, with the greenback approaching 10-year highs and homing in on the 7 yuan mark. The Chinese unit has been hit by weakness in the world’s number two economy as the US booms, with some observers suggesting authorities are allowing it to depreciate to offset Washington’s trade war tariffs. 

In early European trade London fell 1.3 percent, while Frankfurt and Paris each shed more than one percent.